Not all treasure's silver and gold, mate.

Those words were spoken by Captain Jack Sparrow and I have found them to be very true. We started geocaching with ideas about all the goodies we'd find and our real treasure, rather than the trinkets and tokens, has been the time we've spent together on the adventure! 

We've gotten to check out some new places and learn some new things.

And even if we're not successful in finding the cache......(never did figure this one out)

we had a good time together and got to be outside.

Some people have asked me what exactly geocaching is and how to get started. I will start by saying we are NOT experts and don't really have that much experience, but I thought I'd share here some basics, some things we've learned, and some links to get your started on your own adventure! 

Geocaching is basically a worldwide treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates and hints to help you locate hidden "caches", which are hidden by other geocachers. Once you find your cache you sign the log book in the cache and mark it as "found" on the geocaching website.

The place to start is http://www.geocaching.com. 

Click on the "learn" tab and read everything you can. Then watch all the videos-they are motivating and encouraging and get you itching to head out! Create an account with a cool username so you can log your finds. 

You don't need much equipment-either a GPS or your phone. 

The free geocaching app is the way we found our first "cache." We were anxious to try it out but I had no idea how to use our GPS. We downloaded the app, let it find us, and it told us of a cache right near us. The app basically guides you with a little arrow towards the cache and is great if you want a quick and easy payoff. Our first find was a "micro cache" hidden in a magnetic key box under a sign in the parking lot of the coffee shop we were visiting! 

You can also pay for the full app (9.99 I think) that shows more caches than the free app and makes it more like "real" geocaching. Kind of an in between if you don't want to invest in the GPS quite yet.

The lists of geocaches on the website tell you the difficulty of terrain and the difficulty of the hide so before you head out you can choose what kind of adventure you want to have. 

To be honest, I still have no real idea how to use the GPS, but the guys do and I'm always with one of them. We use a combination of the coordinates and the clues to help us find the caches. The coordinates get you within 30 feet of the cache-from there you have to rely on your own hunting skills.

Some tips: 

1. Always bring a pen to sign the logbook. That's actually the most important. Why find the treasure if you can't make your mark on it? 

2. Have some little trinkets with you in case you want to take something out of the cache. Never take anything without leaving something. Some caches just have junk, some have some good items the kids like, some have "trackables" or "travel bugs." (You can read more about those on the website)

3. If you have young children with you, I'd advise taking a quick stock of the cache before you let them dig through. Unfortunately, we've see a cache or two with foul language and inappropriate items. Not very often, but it definitely spoils a fun adventure and I wouldn't want my small children reading or seeing things like that. 

4. Try out your GPS before you head out on your first find. Nothing more frustrating than trying to learn how to use the thing while you're standing in the middle of a forest being eating by mosquitos! Even if you have outdoors-y type people (or master land-navigators) in your group your GPS unit may be different than what they're used to. Take a few minutes to get familiar with how to send the coordinates to your unit and then how to follow it. (First-hand lessons learned....) ;)

5. Know the type and size of cache you are looking for. Here are some examples: 

Micro cache: 

Some micro caches are like the key box above, and some are even smaller! These two caches were made to look like bolts on metal benches. Inside each one was a tiny rolled up piece of paper that was the logbook. Micro caches do not have treasures-they are just to sign. 

A small cache may have a few small toys or coins inside along with a log book: 

And a regular cache is usually some kind of box. We've seen treasure boxes, ammo cases, Rubbermaid containers....they have lots of items inside and are usually easier to find. Sometimes a regular cache is the payoff after a series of clues-makes all the hard work worth it! 

One last type of cache is called an "earth cache." These are not actually treasure boxes, but rather cool or interesting geological sites. The purpose of earth caches is simply to get you out exploring Creation! The "hider" of an earth cache may have certain requirements for you to meet before logging your find. Here is Joshua on the coquina rocks-an earth cache we visit every year at the beach: 

There are geocaches ALL OVER THE WORLD. I want to get in the habit of checking for caches every time we head out somewhere-you never know what cool place you'll find on your hunt for treasure! Geocaching makes me look at the world in a whole new way! We've found caches hidden in the woods and practically right out in the public-before geocaching I never knew there was so much fun going on right under our noses!

Hope this helps you have fun making memories with your family on your own treasure hunts! Feel free to ask me any other questions-we're slowly but surely getting better at this thing!

Annndd.....he's outta there!

What a bittersweet week it was around here! It was the end of two years of late nights and early mornings, of frustrations and satisfactions, of pushing through and pressing on. No more Motor Pool Mondays, Camp Attebury training exercises in August, no more being on call for the next national emergency.
Also no more racquetball competitions and farewell luncheons at McKellar's. No more wally ball; no more Blackberry lighting up at the crack of dawn. No more new babies to visit at Womack and no more soldiers taking advantage of the open door policy to talk.
We will all miss our time here greatly and our Soldier will miss "his" unit. He will wonder how SPC ____ is doing at the WLC Course and how MAJ ___ is handling the new work load. How the "E-4 Mafia" as they like to be known as are faring without him.
And the truth is, they'll be ok. It's the Army, after all. Everything changes, but everything stays the same.
Farewell, 10th Press Camp Headquarters.

More pictures to come soon.....

Kaboom!

On this beautiful Saturday morning we went out to the Cape Fear River Trail at Clark Park to help build a playground! The project was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and was coordinated by a company called Kaboom, which apparently builds playgrounds all over the place! There were over two hundred volunteers there-probably closer to three hundred. I can't adequately describe the amount of labor that was done, but when we got there it was a bare plot of land. When Joshua and I left 4 hours later, there was a swing set, sandbox (built and filled by members of the 10th PCH!) and numerous climbing and play structures built. It was IMPRESSIVE. 

It is also Armed Forces Day today, which we did not know til we got there. They were so appreciate to have soldiers in uniform helping. It was a great day! 

Of course there was a macaw there. Completely normal.

<3

The Captains Thompson

Sgt Bate working hard

Sgt Rodan's little Elaina wouldn't let him out of her sight...

Sgt Galgano and SSG Ward

Sgt Broadnex tackled the mountain of mulch. 

When they post a picture of the finished project I'll be sure to add it! And if you're coming to visit soon, you can count on a visit to the park to see our work! 

Happy Mother's Day!

A sweet, sweet day spent with some of the people I love most in the world...

But first, we had a mother/daughter brunch at church. The table I sponsored was to be decorated with a centerpiece that represented my family. I don't have a great picture of it there, but I did a trial-run here at the house to make sure it would all fit. 

I changed the chalkboard. It now says "....be content. -Phil 4:11" 

The quilt is one I made ages ago. The house represents the MANY houses we've lived in over the tears. There's a little sign that says "Home is where the Army sends you" next to the little Army Monoply boot and tank pieces.

I filled the basket with roses and placed the flags in and around them.

Our little German Lego people are both a representation of Joshua's German birth and the family's love for Legos! There's polish pottery egg and a "Carolina bred" pin. There is a little hidden pickle ornament, too...

The back side of the arrangement has a US Army sign and my childhood Bible. 

(Pay no attention to the sombrero in the background.) :)

Here is my table at the brunch, filled with precious ladies, whom I will miss when I leave...

A special part of the weekend was getting to share it with my "adopted daughter" Abby. She was our babysitter years ago and we have been thrilled to get to spend time with her now that she's closer. 

Mother's Day itself was a great because I woke up being thankful that God has allowed me to be a mother. It was what I dreamed of since I held my first baby doll. More than breakfast in bed, gifts, cards, and free back massage coupons, the gift of simply being their mother has blessed me beyond measure..

My two sweet boy spoiled me once again this year. Besides mailing me a card, which was such a fun treat, they made breakfast, got me a pillow I've been wanting, and made sure I felt special all day long. We got to go to see a movie in the afternoon (Moms' Night Out-so funny!) in between church services and had barbecue for lunch. Yum! 

After evening service, the big kids came over to watch Once Upon a Time with us. A nice end to a wonderful day...

Written by Nick for me this year: 

For mom. I love you. Mother's Day, 2014

Before the earth was without form,
Before it was covered by flood or storm,
I was chosen just for you,
My thanks to you have been too few.

Before He said, "Let there be light,"

Before He made the day and night,

I was chosen just for you,

To me, there's nothing you could not do.

Before He died for you and me,

To pay our rightful penalty,

I was chosen just for you,

You taught His love, He made me new.

Before He sends me to the field,

To preach His wondrous love revealed,

I was chosen just for you,

My life, like vapor, quickly blew.

And on this special day, I pray,

Our joy in Christ will have its way,

Because you were chosen just for me,

With love that lasts eternally.

"I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living,

My momma you'll be..."

It could be worse...

Think you're having a bad day? 

At least your substitute mailman didn't neglect to leave you a Milk-Bone! 

Also, we are continuing the spring sickie cycle. The short kid has really had a tough month or so! Most recently he had strep throat. He finished his round of penicillin and was still complaining about his throat so we continued it a couple extra days (we had leftovers). 

He has had stomach discomfort through the strep and since then but on Wednesday began developing a rash on his neck. It has now spread to his entire body. From the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Torso, arms, hands, lips, everywhere...No fever with the strep or now. We've been to the clinic again, they're calling it scarlet fever, and our PA says it'll run its course. I have my doubts about the treatment (Benadryl and Claritin?) and wish they had given him a different antibiotic, as that's what the big kids all needed when they had scarlet fever (soooo scary the first time any of them had it. Anyone else watch Little House on the Prairie??)

But that's where we are. Or, more like, here's where we are: 

And we're just praying his little body can kick all this junk!